Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!


Date Night Away: Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

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The post below is sponsored by Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan. All opinions expressed belong to me.

We recently enjoyed a night away…just an hour away…and it was SO.MUCH. FUN. I know the pandemic has been a trying time for everyone, and spending quality kid-free time has been tough. If you are able to escape, I highly recommend doing it. Not only is it refreshing as a parent, but it’s also refreshing as a partner!

My husband and I arrived to downtown Rochester on a Friday evening and were greeted with the beauty of the fall leaves, and the simply elegant Royal Park Hotel.

Our Stay at Royal Park Hotel

I have been to Rochester many times, and have attended various events at the hotel, but had never stayed. I was blown away by everything from the cleanliness to the service. This lodging oasis features 143 uniquely designed guest rooms and suites and event facilities accommodating up to 1,200 guests. It definitely is a one-of-a-kind, luxury boutique hotel!

I felt 100% safe during our visit, too. Masks are required in main areas and they even had some fantastic self-cleaning features on door handles, which were amazing and unlike anything I’ve seen. Keeping a distance from others was never an issue at all. Bravo, guys!

We were spoiled with the Brookside Suite, which had an incredible view of downtown Rochester.

The romance package, which include truffle chocolates, a bottle of champagne, and a voucher for brunch, waited for us inside.

Kicking off the evening with champagne on the balcony and in front of the fire was heaven!

After we were good and hungry, we decided to pop downstairs for dinner at Park 600, the hotel’s own restaurant.

Tables were appropriately distanced and service was great. We just nibbled on smaller plates, and our favorite was the funghi pizza. It was delicious!

After, we walked around outside and made note of the amazing fire pits that were available for rent. The outdoor space of the hotel was beautiful. We had to stop and admire the gorgeous Paint Creek.

We really enjoyed being in downtown Rochester too. I love that this hotel is located in a walkable city, with tons of restaurants, parks, and cute shops nearby.

Had I known ahead of time, I would have also brought a lock to seal our love on the pedestrian bridge. How romantic is that?! {I love the one below from a dad and daughter too!}

Overall, I cannot recommend a stay at Royal Park enough! It’s the perfect getaway for a romantic night away.

More About Royal Park Hotel

The Royal Park will be especially beautiful this holiday season. If you’ve never been to the Big Bright Light Show, it’s amazing. Additionally, the Holiday Walk at nearby Meadow Brook Hall is a must too!

Check out all of the amazing packages the hotel offers. There are even ones for families if you aren’t able to nab a sitter! Rates start at just $175 plus tax, based on ability. Some blackout dates may apply. Book online here or call (248) 652-2600.

Learn more about Royal Park Hotel at their website and Facebook.

GIVEAWAY

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to give away a one-night stay in an Executive King Room at Royal Park Hotel between November 1 – December 30, 2020.

Just follow the steps below. Must be age 18+ and willing to travel to Rochester, Michigan. Giveaway ends on November 3, 2020 at midnight. Good luck!

One Night Stay at Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

Visit Meadow Brook Hall’s Holiday Walk For A Taste of Christmas Past

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The post below is sponsored by Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens. I received complimentary passes in exchange for a review.

It’s no secret that Michigan is home to some very exquisite homes thanks to automobile money. Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens in Rochester, Michigan is no exception.

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

My mom and I recently had a date together to visit this amazing home during Meadow Brook Hall’s Holiday Walk, and enjoyed learning and getting inspired along the way. We did the tour about 10 years ago, and this one was very different than we remembered. They decorate it differently every year, so it’s worth an annual visit for sure!

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

This massive 88,000 square-foot home is a sight to behold, especially during the holiday season, where decor graces every corner. Docents are available in most rooms too, and are a wealth of knowledge about the nuances of the home and the family history.

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

The home was once refuge from Detroit city life for Matilda Dodge Wilson {widow of John Francis Dodge} and her second husband, lumber baron, Alfred C. Wilson.

It took three years to build {1926-1929} and features Tudor revival style architecture. Currently, it’s the fourth largest historic mansion in the United States.

Although its design was inspired by a European trip, all of the building materials — including several styles of beautiful wood — were sourced in North America {with the exception of the wood in John’s study}. Just thinking of how much this home would be to build these days is mind-blowing. It truly is a national treasure!

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

Maltilda didn’t miss a single detail when building her home. Her presence is felt in every room, with unique carvings and one-of-a-kind door knobs, doors, and surprises in every room. {The hidden staircase in the middle of the home was especially neat to see!}

For the holiday season, event designers have come in and decorated the home, including its 64 trees, which range from traditional to themed trees.

A few of our favorites were the living poinsettia tree, which was breathtakingly beautiful with its 150 live plants!

Meadow Brook Hall's Holiday Walk

The upside-down tree in Danny’s cottage in the woods, was definitely a fan favorite as well due to its uniqueness.

There are trees in nearly all of the 110 rooms of the home, and all are uniquely magical!

In addition to the tour, there are two cute gift shops on the premises that are worth checking out.

ENJOY if you visit!

HOLIDAY WALK INFORMATION

The holiday walk runs daily through December 23, 2019.

Holiday Walk tickets are $20 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 6-12, children age 5 and under are free {though I wouldn’t recommend this for the younger crowd or those unable to walk}. On Mondays and Wednesdays, seniors age 62 and older receive $5 off admission. Tickets for the final weekend of events featuring Santa and his reindeer on Dec. 21-23 are $22.50 for adults and seniors, $10 for children ages 6-12, children age 5 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased onsite in the Holiday Shop. Tours are self-guided and reservations are not required.

Children can participate in “Cleo’s Ornament Adventure,” inspired by the Dodge-Wilson’s beloved pet St. Bernard, Cleo. Children can participate in a special scavenger hunt while touring the mansion, then collect a prize at Candy Cane Cottage.

The mansion is open daily from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on select evenings.

LOCATION

Meadow Brook Hall is located at 350 Estate Drive in Rochester.

Learn more by checking out the website for special events and more, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.

TIP: A few restaurants ideas if you visit the area: Patti Finnegan’s Pub & Grille right near the property, or Clubhouse BFD in Rochester Hills, which is close to M-59. There are plenty of additional restaurants too!

GIVEAWAY

I’m excited to giveaway two tickets for a lucky winner to enjoy. Make sure to visit my Instagram to enter. Best of luck!

Where are your favorite places to see beautiful Christmas decor?

Haunted Attractions in Southeast Michigan

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If your family or your spouse enjoy a good scare, you have to check out one of these haunted attractions in southeast Michigan!

I’m one of those crazies that actually enjoys being scared. I don’t know what causes that gene, but my kids seem to have it too. During the Halloween season, I love watching scary movies and taking the kids to check out the creepiest decor around town. People that love Halloween are usually my favorite people 😉

If you have older kids/teens or are looking for a fun date night, one of these spots could make for a fun night out. If you’re looking for something for younger children, check out this list of fall family fun.

Haunted Attractions in Southeast Michigan

Plan a night out and get your scare on! These are organized in alphabetical order according to the city where they are located.

Haunted Attractions in Southeast Michigan
Haunted Attractions in Southeast Michigan
I had to pull-over when I spotted this amazing Pennywise prop in downtown Howell, Michigan!

Which ones did I miss? As you can see, there are quite a few that look amazingly spooky.

Have a scary good time!

Date Night Idea: Axe Throwing Places in Michigan

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If you’re like my husband and I, there is one thing you are NOT into, and that’s BORING date nights! When we get to escape from our kids, the last place on earth I want to go is to the movies where we don’t have the opportunity to talk. Dinner is fun and all too, but we definitely prefer to be active.

Thankfully there are some amazing axe throwing places in Michigan that offer a unique alternative to simply dinner and a movie. Grab your buffalo plaid and head out for a fun night!

If you’ve never thrown an axe before, don’t worry — you don’t need to be athletic or posses any special skills. This seemingly dangerous sport has taken the world by storm and is crazy fun to try regardless of skill. While you will have a host to show you the ropes, it’s NOT remotely kid-friendly, which is a big plus in our date night book 😉

I will admit — axe throwing is not easy, but it’s SO fun. If you’re looking for a unique night out, give it a chance! Pricing goes down the more people you have to split the lane with, so gather friends for an affordable night out.

Here are some spots around Michigan to get started:

Axe Throwing Places in Michigan

A few tips before you go:

  • Drinking is allowed in many of these facilities. I wouldn’t plan to drink much…It’s just plain unsafe. Plus, they will kick you out if you consume too much. Be smart!
  • Wear closed toed shoes and dress comfortably as you will be moving around a lot.
  • Axe throwing is much harder than it looks! Go easy on yourself, laugh, and have fun! Most places do games with teams or for couples to keep it fun and lighthearted.
  • Tip your host. These men and women are saints for teaching people how to throw an axe properly 😉 They deserve your tips for the attention they devote to you!
I’m actually super terrible…Just had one lucky shot! Still fun, even if you’re no good!

Where is your favorite place to go axe throwing? Let me know if I’ve missed any!

Find other date night ideas at these links:

Have you tried axe throwing? What did you think of it?

2019 Iron Chef for Gleaners

2019 Iron Chef For Gleaners: Great Food for a Great Cause {+ Ticket Giveaway!}

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I will be attending this event as a media guest. All opinions expressed belong to me.

I’m excited to be a guest at a great event benefiting one of my favorite local non-profits — Gleaners Community Food Bank. This foodie event is the perfect opportunity for a date night or to gather friends and head out for a great cause — helping keep our neighbors food secure!

My mom and I absolutely loved attending last year.

If you aren’t familiar, Gleaners operates five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties and provides food to 528 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies throughout Southeastern Michigan.

In 2018, Gleaners distributed more than 43 million pounds of food to neighbors in need. On average, Gleaners distributes 96,000 meals each day including providing nourishing food and nutrition education to 171,000 children a year. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 93 cents of every donated dollar goes to food and food programs.

Those numbers sure are impressive…But not without the help of generous donors.

2019 IRON CHEF FOR GLEANERS

To raise much-needed funding, Gleaners is hosting an Iron Chef benefit, which is now in its 15th year.

During the past 14 years, this annual culinary competition has raised funds for more than 2 million meals, feeding thousands of families. They do fantastic work for our community and families — period.

This year’s competition will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at Bordine’s Nursery in Brighton.

The set-up at the 2018 event. It was so fun to watch chefs live!

Competitors featured are former champions, so you know it’s going to be an amazing and lively competition!

Chefs include:

  • Chef Eirik Kauserud, Executive Chef, Hell Saloon
  • Chef Jody Brunori, Executive Chef, The Laundry
  • Chef Steve Pilon, Wooden Spoon & El Arbol Taqueria
  • Chef Tammy Young, Executive Chef & Owner, Great Lakes Chef and Catering
  • Chef Patrick Srock, Executive Chef, Detroit Golf Club 
  • Chef Craig Myrand, Executive & Culinary Director – Adam Merkel Restaurants (Diamonds Steak & Seafood; Howell & Royal Oak, The Silver Pig, Cello and Pinky’s Rooftop

Just like the popular TV show, the competition will challenge each chef to prepare a meal. There is plenty of lively commentary throughout to keep the audience informed of what’s going on. Additionally, there will also be an Iron Chef Mixology Competition where cocktail connoisseurs will be tasked with creating an award-worthy beverage.

Guests at the event will enjoy a variety of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and beverages from local purveyors and brewers. A fantastic silent auction will also be available.

Participants include:

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the competition begins at 7 p.m.

How gorgeous was this cheese display at the 2018 event? Yum!

TICKETS

Tickets are $65 and can be purchased HERE. For more information, visit Gleaners at www.gcfb.org.

May the best chef and mixologist win! Make sure to follow me on Instagram at @MrsWebersNeighborhood to see live stories from the event.

GIVEAWAY

I’m excited to be able to give away TWO sets of TWO tickets. Perfect for a date night! Must be age 18+ to win. Giveaway ends on July 26, 2019.

Good luck!

Gleaners Iron Chef

More great non-profits promoting food security can be found here.

35+ Unique Date Ideas In Livingston County, Michigan

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I love checking out search terms for what brings people to my blog. Sometimes it’s very random, but other times it’s fantastic for learning new topic ideas!

There is a good chunk of readers from my area in Livingston County, Michigan, so I’ve been getting lots of searches for date nights around here. I have plenty of ideas for Detroit, Lansing, and Southeast Michigan, but no list purely dedicated to Livingston County, so here goes. Just because this is an area of ‘small towns’ doesn’t mean it’s short on fun! In fact, it’s a fantastic area for entertainment, great food and LOTS of outdoor adventures.

Feel free to chime in with your ideas and I will do my best to add them. Happy dating!

35+ Unique Date Ideas In Livingston County, Michigan

Active Ideas

  • Hike the trails, go zip lining, or check out animals together at Howell Nature Center {Howell}
  • Go on a free art/poetry walk {Brighton}
  • Hit the ski slopes in winter or golf balls in summer at Mt. Brighton {Brighton}
  • Go bowling at a local center {Hartland, Howell or Brighton}
  • In addition to bowling, play pool and darts at Brighton Bowl
  • Walk around the Mill Pond and look for turtles {Brighton}
  • Take a quiet hike through nature and feed the birds or take a paddleboat ride at Kensington {Brighton border}

One-Of-A-Kind Ideas

Delicious Ideas

  • Enjoy higher end outdoor dining at Brighton Bar & Grill {Brighton}
  • Try a new craft cocktail and play shuffleboard at the speakeasy style 2FOG’s {Howell}
  • Visit Diamonds for a bubbly cocktail and their famous carrot cake {Howell}
  • Enjoy low-key rooftop drinks and pizza at Zukey Lake Tavern {Pinckney} or The Pound {Brighton}
  • Grab a sake bomb and load up on sushi at Sushi Zen {Brighton}

As you can see, there is plenty to do to keep dating around Livingston County.

Where is your go-to spot for date nights around Livingston County?

Diamonds Steak & Seafood

Delicious Date Night: Diamonds Steak & Seafood {+ Giveaway}

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The post below is sponsored by Diamonds Steak & Seafood. All opinions expressed belong to me.

We all have our date night go-to spots, right? Something close by for convenience {and considerate of babysitter fees!}, but feels so far away from our typical lives covered in mac and cheese and Crayola markers.

For my husband and I, that place is often times Diamonds Steak & Seafood. We frequent the downtown Howell spot, but a second location has recently opened in Royal Oak as well, and it’s equally delicious with all the Diamonds signature items.

Don’t get me wrong — we have brought our kids here several times, especially in summer when we can sit outside, but the truth is, I’d much rather enjoy this type of delicious food interruption free 😉 If a date night isn’t in your foreseeable future, they do offer a kids menu and they serve a killer brunch buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.

Favorites at Diamonds Steak & Seafood

The item I crave the most when visiting Diamonds is the Signature Steak Salad. It’s a generous portion of perfectly prepared filet mignon tips, combined with bleu cheese topping and dressing. It has the best flavor and is a generous portion — it could easily be shared alongside another entree with a friend or date.

It’s hard for me to stray, but other menu items I have loved include the “World Famous” filet mignon tips {a must on your first visit!}, pan-seared scallops, seafood pasta, and more. They also have fantastic burgers, a build-your-own salad menu, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. There truly is plenty for all to enjoy and we haven’t had a meal here yet we haven’t enjoyed.

The variety of wine, taps, and cocktails never disappoint either. I usually cannot resist the Berries and Bubbles cocktail, which is served with dry ice, which continues to smoke as you drink it. It’s fruity and delicious and perfect for feeling fancy on a special evening out. Is’t she beautiful?

The last must that is necessary to tell you about is the desserts. For us, it’s not a visit to Diamonds without the carrot cake…It’s served warm and is INCREDIBLE. My husband dug into ours before I could take an accurate photo, but it’s a very large portion that is perfect for sharing with 2-3 people.

But what about the service?

The service is always impeccable, and the servers are very well versed in the wines and meal items, which is always appreciated. The restaurant proprietor, Adam Merkel, can often be seen walking to tables and chatting with patrons. As a customer, that means the world to see an owner that truly cares about your experience. As locals, we appreciate the fact he has continued to invest in downtown Howell, and I’m hopeful he sees the same success in downtown Royal Oak.

This past summer I had the privilege of watching Diamonds compete and win in an Iron Chef event benefitting Gleaners, and I loved the teamwork that went into it. They have a fantastic team of chefs, and it truly shows to those of us outside the industry.

Keep up the great work, Diamonds!

Where To Find Diamonds Steak & Seafood

Learn more about Diamonds Steak & Seafood by checking out their website following them:

Diamonds of Howell is located at 101 W. Grand River and Diamonds of Royal Oak is located at 100 Southeast Main St. Reservations can be made via phone or through OpenTable.

Additional restaurants by Adam Merkel include Cello Italian and The Silver Pig Pizza & Oyster Bar in Howell. Make it an extra fun night out and try something from each restaurant — they all have something unique and delicious to offer!

NEWS INSIDER: The rooftop space above Diamonds in Royal Oak will becoming a garden-themed small plates restaurant and bar called Pinky’s in 2019. Can’t wait to visit — it’s such a great space!

GIVEAWAY

I’m excited to give away a $50 gift card to Diamonds. Follow the prompts below to enter. Must be a Michigan resident, age 18+ and willing to drive to Howell or Royal Oak to redeem. Giveaway ends on January 12, 2019 at midnight. Good luck!

Make sure to find more giveaways at the Michigan Bloggers Giveaway Network!

$50 Gift Card to Diamonds Steak and Seafood

Adults-Only Traverse City Must: Kayak, Bike & Brew Tour

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If your summer travels take you to Traverse City, and you’re the adventure-seeking kind, I can’t recommend the Kayak, Bike & Brew tour enough! {Or maybe if you *must* take the kids, bring a grandparent to visit Great Wolf Lodge and sneak in a date?!}

We were up in TC Memorial weekend for the Bayshore Marathon {my husband ran the half}, and rented an Airbnb with a group of friends. There are so many awesome options for fun in Traverse City, but we knew we wanted to do something fun and unique since it’s a group of college friends we don’t get to see often. Oh, and since we were all kid-free, it needed to be something that was NOT kid-friendly 😉

I’ve had Kayak, Bike & Brew on my Michigan bucket list for awhile, so I was ecstatic the group agreed to do it. It cost $69/person, and was worth every penny.

Our tour started at the Kayak, Bike & Brew headquarters in a more industrial section of town near the water. Once we checked in and went to the bathroom, we took a group picture, and got the “rules” from our amazing tour guides {seriously, these girls were great!}.

We began the tour on beach cruiser bikes, which had fat tires and back pedal brakes. They were so fun to ride, and really easy to maneuver through the streets with a large group.

Each tour varies, but after about a 5 mile ride {I promise it was easy}, we stopped at Right Brain Brewery, which was definitely a cool spot — the walls were covered in art, so there was plenty to look at and we had fun chatting as a group.

We had about 35 minutes at each brewery, which seemed like the perfect amount of time.

From there, we biked a short way to The Filling Station, which was an old railroad station converted into a brewery/restaurant. It truly was a unique location, and we were told it has excellent pizza though we didn’t sample it.

After we finished a beer there, we hopped on kayaks for the next leg of the adventure. The kayaks used are made for the ocean, so they were very sturdy and I never felt like I was going to tip. They moved beautifully in the water.

Our next stop was Rare Bird Brew Pub. Each location had its own unique brews on tap, along with food. The outside space of Rare Bird was definitely one of my favorite spots. I could’ve sat in the sunshine on the patio all day long!

We kayaked a bit more, including into the Bay a bit, which was a bit challenging, but again, nothing that any physically able bodied person couldn’t do.

We helped to load our kayaks onto a truck and then we walked a bit back to the start, where we were met with the final brewery — The Workshop Brewing Company, which again, had a cool atmosphere and outdoor spaces.

Overall, I can’t speak highly enough of this adventure if you find yourself traveling to the Traverse City area. It was a fantastic way to spend the day and I would absolutely go again!

TIPS IF YOU GO:

  • Book online in advance to guarantee a time slot. There are tons of times available!
  • What to wear: Clothes that can get wet and shoes that you can bike ride in and won’t fall off easily while kayaking.
  • If you have a waterproof case for your phone, bring it. It will get wet.
  • Arrange transportation or walk afterwards and stay safe!

Learn more about Kayak, Bike and Brew HERE.

This is not sponsored…I just had such a good time, I wanted to share 😉

What are your favorite spots in Traverse City?

See more date night destinations around Michigan HERE.

10 Reasons To Love The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan

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The post below is sponsored by The H Hotel. All opinions expressed belong to me.

My husband and I recently packed up for a night to visit The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan. We were excited for a date night for obvious reasons {read: we were slightly burnt out on parenting, so it offered us a breather!}, but also because it’s a world-class destination that is less than two hours from our house.

If you haven’t been to Midland in 10 years like myself, you’re in for a treat. The downtown has completely transformed into a walkable streetscape that is welcoming and fun to explore. Right in the heart of it all, is The H Hotel.

I honestly could write for days about how much we enjoyed this hotel. It has everything we love right in one date night destination: luxurious rooms, fantastic foodie restaurants right on the premises, access to nature, and a walkable downtown right outside the doors. Couldn’t ask for more.

I’ve boiled our visit down to 10 reasons to book a stay, but I promise I could list many, many, more. Here’s my favorite reasons to plan a visit stat!

10 Reasons To Love The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan

Excellent service

From the front desk concierge to the servers and the employee who delivered us toothpaste at 10 p.m., every person we encountered was helpful and genuinely seemed to love what they do. Their smiling faces and helpful tips truly set the tone for our visit!

Boundless amenities and beautiful art

The hotel is chock full of extra perks, including free valet, an indoor lap pool, whirlpool, gym, two restaurants and a lounge.

One of my favorite touches throughout the hotel was the art. There are some really neat pieces. My favorite was this butterfly installation that moved when you blew on it. If you stay, make sure to look for the dragonflies hiding in the piece!

Spacious and bright rooms

We stayed in a standard room and it was so beautiful! We had a view of The Tridge, which was fantastic. I told my husband this room makes me want to paint our whole house white. It felt so clean and happy!

Table Restaurant

Named for the Periodic Table of Elements {a nod to owner Dow Chemical}, this fine dining restaurant is absolutely flawless. From the decor to the service and food, it’s guaranteed you will have a memorable meal.

My husband had the filet mignon, which he ordered medium rare and it was cooked to perfection.

I ordered the scallops and could instantly tell they were of a high-caliber. Everything we ate was full of flavor. I would highly recommend Table if you’re looking for a great date night!

Bar Oxygen for a nightcap

This swanky lounge is the perfect spot to enjoy some complimentary spicy popcorn and a cocktail, or settle in on appetizers and desserts for a nightcap.

We ordered creme brûlée and this chocolate mousse cake and both were amazing!

Cafe Zinc for the perfect breakfast

This French-insprired bistro is not only adorable, but the food is delicious too. I honestly would consider a drive to Midland just to eat here again…It was THAT good.

My husband was quick to say his steak and eggs was the best breakfast he’s ever had, and I agreed….My quiche was definitely the best I’ve had. We’ll be dreaming about these meals for a long time!

The Tridge 

The Tridge is a 3-way walkable bridge located directly behind The H. It’s the perfect place to take a walk during all seasons, and definitely a must for any Michiganders bucket list!

The Tridge even lights up with LED lights at night, which makes for a romantic post-dinner walk.

The H is Close to everything

The H is within walking distance to The Tridge, the Perl Marquette Rail Trail, several restaurants, bars, shops and the farmers market, and just a few miles from Dow Gardens, the Midland Center for Performing Arts, Dow Diamond {where the Loons play}, and more.

Perks Galore

The H has some excellent perks including a free shuttle, free bikes to borrow to ride the trails behind the hotel, free tickets to Dow Gardens, and during the season, free lawn tickets to Loons baseball games.

We took advantage of the free tickets to Dow Gardens and we really enjoyed our hike there — it was beautiful and peaceful and I definitely would love to visit again during summer.

The H is a Four Diamond Hotel with affordable rates

There is no doubt about it, this hotel is luxurious throughout. The rooms are stellar, spacious and clean. You can tell the staff takes pride in being among the best. What surprised me most was the rates, which are affordable for a luxury hotel. Nights typically range from $119-$200, depending on special events. For that rate, I highly recommend spoiling yourself on a night!

TIP from the concierge: Book directly through the hotel for the best rates and fantastic extra perks.

Learn more about The H Hotel by visiting the website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. Also make sure to check out Cafe Zinc on Instagram and Table on Instagram.

GIVEAWAY

I’m ecstatic to give away a $100 gift card to The H, which can be used at any of the restaurants or for booking the hotel itself. Follow the prompts below to enter.

Giveaway ends on May 14, 2018 at midnight. Good luck!

The H Hotel

Date Idea: Locks of Love Bridge in Hell, Michigan

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Confession: I’m not a dinner and a movie kind of gal when it comes to a date night. So when I found out there was a Locks of Love Bridge in Hell, Michigan, I had to plan a visit! My husband has grown used to my out-of-the-box date nights and thankfully goes along for the ride {rolling his eyes the entire time I’m sure}.

We decided to venture out to Hell one chilly yet beautiful eve for dinner and a walk. Hell is located between Brighton and Ann Arbor, and is just a cheesy yet awesome touristy place to visit — even when it is slightly frozen over 😉

The Hell Hole Diner is a PG-rated mom and pop kinda spot with a full bar and delicious burgers and pasties. It was exactly the type of low-key, low-cost adventure we were seeking. We also love visiting the Hell Saloon and people watching because it’s a popular spot for bikers and has a really fun PG-13 atmosphere.

After we finished filling our stomachs, we decided to visit Screams, a tourist ice cream shop that is super fun to look around in. I asked the nice lady how the Locks of Love Bridge worked, and she lit right up and told us about our options.

Since we are coming up on our 10 year anniversary of marriage in June, it just felt right to spurge on a lock and play along with the legend. I adore my hubby, so 10 years of HEAVEN is more accurate, but believe me — you don’t get to 10 years of wedded bliss without a wicked sense of humor!

We were thrilled to see that starting at just $7.95, you can lock up your love for all eternity with other damned lovers. Sold.

How cool is the lock, too? It’s clearly handmade and as funky as they come. The staff will even give you a Sharpie should you want to write your names on it.

Additionally, when you purchase a lock, you will receive a certificate as well. I mean, it’s OFFICIAL, guys….and even has the Hell-tastic burnt edges to prove it.

Everything in Hell is done with fantastic touches…If you pay cash {which you should, otherwise you will get a 3% credit card fee}, they will even give you change with a $2 bill and a stamp saying its been to Hell.

It’s these little silly touches that keep me coming back for more!

After you’re done with the paperwork, you can travel outside behind Screams until you see the little Hell Chapel. Just across the way, near the damn, there is a lock bridge, mimicking the awesome bridges you can find across Europe.

Unfortunately it’s not literally on a bridge — it’s a replica — but it’s just as fun and won’t damage any infrastructure.

We had fun checking out all the other locks {you are welcome to bring your own too!}, and found a spot to seal the deal.

Just remember to make sure you throw away your key, whether it’s in the river or elsewhere…Or else the deal is NOT legit…allegedly.

So in went our key…Right into the Hell Creek River. Guess our love is in it for the long haul.

Overall, this made for a helluva memorable date night, and we may have to make a tradition of it every few years or so.

If you aren’t local to Michigan, you can still purchase a lock and have them send you a photo, just visit this website.

What is your favorite spot for a truly unique date night?

More things to do in Hell, Michigan can be found HERE and plenty more date ideas for SE Michigan are HERE!

8 Tips For Visiting An Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort

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My husband often jokes that honeymoons are wasted on newlyweds and that the time you *really* need a vacation is after you have kids. While newlywed me would totally disagree {planning a wedding is terrible IMO}, I can’t help but get his logic.

It’s safe to say since having a kid seven years ago, I haven’t had a truly relaxing vacation. We’ve had a few local getaways for a couple nights just the two of us, but for the most part, nothing extravagant or requiring a plane ride. In fact, the only other time the two of us have been together on a plane was for our honeymoon.

So with our 10-year anniversary looming, we figured we had the perfect excuse to getaway without too much guilt. Thankfully the grandparents were up for the challenge, and we booked the ultimate getaway — to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica!

It.Was.Amazing.

We only were gone for 4 nights, but it felt glorious to not cook for little people or break up sibling fights.

We had been to an all-inclusive for our honeymoon, so knew what we were in for, but there are still so many tips I wanted to remember for our next big getaway…likely in another 10 years or so 😉

Rafting down the Martha Brae River in Jamaica. It was awesome!

8 Tips For Visiting An Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort

  1. Get a travel package. When we were looking to plan a trip, we got tips from so many folks. We looked into various destinations, cruises, etc. In the end, we found the best packages with Costco Travel. I loved that their packages were refundable up until a week before and included everything from airfare to shuttles and more. I highly recommend them for trips! Our trip was flawless.
  2. Bring LOTS of one dollar bills. Most all-inclusive resorts do not require tips, but let’s be real — we all know these people make low wages, and throwing a buck or two at them for shleping a drink to you on the beach is a nice gesture. Plus there’s shuttle drivers, baggage helpers, your concierge, cleaning lady, etc. And if you have a minibar and want it stocked a certain way, money helps. {We had ours almost completely stocked with rum and coke thanks to a note and a few dollars!}
  3. Insulated cups ROCK. I soooo wish we knew this tip before our trip. Ice melts quick at a tropical destination, so bringing a nice insulated cup would’ve been great for drinks.
  4. Bring a beach bag. My friend shared this tip with me, and I’m so glad because it’s something I would’ve easily forgot. It was so nice having a bag to carry my book, sunscreen and towels in for time at the beach or pool.
  5. Pack light. I honestly brought way too many clothes considering I was in my bathing suit for 80 percent of the vacation. Next time I will pack another bathing suit and a cover-up, maybe 1-2 casual outfits and a couple nice dresses for dinners and call it good! Most resorts should have cleaning services should you need them. I am obsessed with these packing cubes {affiliate link} to keep our suitcases organized!
  6. Schedule excursions when you arrive. If you plan to do any excursions, schedule them shortly after arriving. We decided to wait until the following day and our excursions got cancelled two nights in a row. We were SO bummed! I wish we would’ve had another day to try for it.
  7. Bring a waterproof camera. If you have one, that is. If not, borrow one from a friend. I don’t have one and was terrified of getting my DSLR or phone wet so didn’t take as many photos as I would’ve liked to.
  8. Don’t overschedule yourself. The point of an all-inclusive is to actually be able to relax and leave the rest to the resort employees. I loved the days we had zero plans and could just go with the flow since it’s SO opposite of my “normal” life. Also, since you are paying for all those food and drinks, enjoy them!

Overall, a vacation is exactly what I needed at this point in my life and I was so glad we splurged and rearranged our calendars to make it happen.

To my husband: Cheers to 10 years! Can’t wait to celebrate with you all year long 🙂

Check out more of our date night and couple’s adventures HERE.

Have you visited an all-inclusive resort? If so, what are your tips?

 

50+ Unique Girls Night Out Ideas in Southeast Michigan

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Girlfriends are the sisters we get to choose, right? There’s no denying a little girl time does wonders for the soul, and let’s be real — it gives some of us the opportunity to look fancy and forget about being a mom for awhile 😉

I cherish my close girlfriends more than ever. They are the ones I send all the inappropriate things I can’t post on Facebook so we can laugh; they are the ones that listen when my family is struggling, or pass the wine when I just want to let loose and not be judged. It’s freeing to be with like-minded women, and it is a great way to reset our souls and be reminded we aren’t alone in this life journey.

So next time you’re planning a great girl’s night out, consult this guide and plan some fun that’s more exciting than a day at the spa {though that sounds nice too}!

50+ Unique Girls Night Out Ideas in Southeast Michigan

For Adventure:

For Scenery:

Girls Night Out Ideas in Southeast Michigan

For Laughs:

For Dancing:

For The Love of Art:

For Foodie Fun:

For Culture:

Girls Night Out in Southeast Michigan

Where are your favorite spots to go for a girl’s night out? Drop me a comment or message and I will add your suggestions!

Date Night in Ann Arbor {+ Our Stay At Hyatt Place}

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The post below is sponsored by Hyatt Place Ann Arbor. All opinions belong to me.

I’ve said it many times before: I’m a huge fan of dating your spouse. I crave that connection in my life, and know date nights are essential for a healthy marriage. My guy often rolls his eyes at my adventures, but he gets that it is what I need, and happy wife = happy life, right? 😉

He never protests when it involves getting away just the two of us though. Traveling with kids is a blast, but it’s exhausting, honestly. So when we got the chance to escape just 30 minutes away to Ann Arbor for night out, you betcha we took advantage!

Date Night in Ann Arbor

The brand new Hyatt Place Ann Arbor was gracious enough to host us for the evening and we had a fantastic stay.

A few things we loved about this hotel:

~ Easy access to I-94 and downtown Ann Arbor

Date Night in Ann Arbor

~ Incredibly welcoming staff

~ Amazing decor throughout…We especially loved the Michigan touches everywhere! This local flair made it feel less like a chain and more like a boutique hotel.

Date Night in Ann Arbor

~ A FREE shuttle for a 3-mile radius until 9 p.m. {including to the Briarwood Mall or the Big House for a game!}.

~ Gorgeous spa-like pool

Date Night in Ann Arbor

~ A 24/7 Gallery Market featuring cooked-to-order food and beverage options

~ King size beds in every room

Date Night in Ann Arbor

~ FREE hot breakfast with tons of options

~ An amazing state-of-the-art gym

Date Night in Ann Arbor

~ FREE Wi-Fi

~ A Coffee to Cocktails bar serving Starbucks specialty beverages, beer, wine, and cocktails

Date Night in Ann Arbor

Overall, we would hands down stay here again, and I highly recommend it should you want to spend a night in Ann Arbor — with or without kids.

WHAT WE DID DURING OUR STAY

After checking in, we nabbed a few drinks in the lobby and discussed our plans for the night. I love that Ann Arbor is such a walkable city, and with nice temps for October, we were down for walking if needed.

However, since the hotel is about three miles from the heart of the city, we took advantage of the shuttle. Charles, our friendly driver, took us into downtown, where we {barely} found a spot that was highly recommended to me: The Last Word. This bar had a speakeasy feel to it with an unmarked entrance, and I felt like we were stepping into a basement! However, once we were seated, we fell in love. Such a neat place!

Date Night in Ann Arbor

The bar had some incredible {strong!} craft cocktails, and we loved the literary theme throughout, including a menu inside an old book. I smiled seeing my late grandma’s signature drink: A Manhattan. Of course I had to have one just for her 😉

After a few hours of cocktails and catching up with each other, we walked a few blocks to check out the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. We love live comedy and this was one venue we’d never been to. We’ve seen plenty of good and bad comics, and this night proved to be a mix of both, however, it still was a ton of fun. I’d totally recommend it for a date night!

After the show it was past midnight, so we took a Lyft back to the hotel {around $8.50}. It was so fantastic having a safe ride, and avoiding parking fees. Total win.

Overall, we had a fantastic time exploring some new-to-us places in Ann Arbor, and can’t wait to go back some day soon for more fun!

Hyatt Place is located at 3223 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, and can be reached at (734) 995-1234. Follow the Ann Arbor Hyatt Place on Facebook or book a room here.

Where are your favorite places for a date night in Ann Arbor?

Day Date Idea: Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Southeast Michigan

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Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Southeast Michigan

There has been something on my own bucket list the past few summers: Trying stand up paddle boarding {or SUP for short}. As someone who loves canoeing and kayaking, I knew it would be something I would enjoy! I prefer something active and not little kid friendly on our dates versus just dinner and a movie.

My husband and I randomly were able to go on a day date, so I started researching spots to go. Turns out there are some fun stand up paddle boarding spots in Southeast Michigan.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Southeast Michigan

Since we’re based in Livingston County, we chose to go to the Brighton Recreation Area at Bishop Lake to give it a try. We were able to use our Michigan Activity Pass for free entry into the park {or you can use your Michigan Recreation passport}, and the SUP rental was just $10/person for two hours. See all rates here.

The hardest part of a SUP was taking off, standing up, and getting your feet adjusted. After that, it was surprisingly easy. I’d recommend trying on a smaller, private lake without a wake first. We didn’t really know what we were doing, but caught on easily — paddling is similar enough to any paddle sport.

At Brighton Rec, there was the main lake area, with the public beach and the super awesome Jump Island. Off to the right, you could board through the swampy area to head to the other side of the lake to the campground access area. It was super peaceful on that side, and we were able to beach our boards and jump into the water for a swim. The water is like bath water in July!

After, we drove a few miles up to one of our favorite spots to eat pizza with a view in summer: Zukey Lake Tavern. This waterfront spot with a rooftop deck is so much fun for people and boat watching!

Overall, it was a fantastic day, and we can’t wait to do more SUP in the years ahead.

In case you’re interested in trying, check out these ideas for places to rent paddle boards.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Southeast Michigan

Where To Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Southeast Michigan:

Here are is a great case to keep your phone and keys dry from Amazon, too {affiliate link}:

Check out more date ideas and fun for couples here.

Have you ever tried stand up paddle boarding? Where is your favorite spot to go?

Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip

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This past week, my husband and I celebrated nine years of marriage. Each year we try to take a mini trip, because to us, our anniversary is something to be celebrated each and every year!

He is a runner and wanted to find a spring half marathon so we decided to loop a half marathon into our trip and kill two birds with one stone. So we decided to head to Glen Arbor for the Solstice half marathon and 5K and make a long weekend of it together.

I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life and had never seen Sleeping Bear Dunes, so we figured this would be the perfect excuse! We opted to not climb the dunes on this trip, but had plenty of other active fun.

We started out our road trip by exploring Frankfort. It’s an adorable Lake Michigan town and we enjoyed sampling beer and food at the Stormcloud Brewing Company {the pulled pork nachos were delicious!}. After, we walked down to the lighthouse and pier, which were gorgeous. Lucky for us, there weren’t a ton of people walking the pier {it’s at your own risk}, so I was able to snap some shots. Isn’t she pretty?

Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip
From there, we travelled to the Point Betsie lighthouse, which had an interesting history and was just darling to take in. There was a tour available too, though we decided to skip that. She’s even available to rent as lodging, which I think should definitely go on my bucket list. The setting was beautiful.

Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip

Then it was onto the Empire Bluff Trail, which was a {free} 1.5 mile hike through the woods to an overlook of Lake Michigan and the dunes. It was a nice trail, but hilly, so I would reserve this for those in decent shape, especially on a hot day. It was a workout, but worth it for the incredible views.

Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip
After our hike we decided to rest a bit and head into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and take the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Drive to see the dunes. It’s $15 for a week-long pass, and the drive  itself ended up being a great way to see several views of forests, the water, and even a charming covered bridge.

Had my husband not been doing a half marathon the next day we would have attempted the dune climb, but we knew we needed to conserve our energy. The sweeping views were stunning, though no camera can do it justice — it’s definitely something you need to see in-person.

Sleeping Bear Dunes - Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip

After, we headed into Glen Arbor to settle into our lodging — the Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast. It was such a cute place in a great location. We were able to walk to the cute shops, restaurants and bars and the beach easily, which we loved. It was actually our first time staying at a B&B together and it was SO fun! {Maybe it’s just my extrovert personality though.}

Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip - Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast

Glen Arbor itself is a very artsy community, and there were nice touches everywhere including beautiful flowers and art. It’s quintessential small town northern Michigan, with friendly and helpful people to match. I literally said “awww, so cute” about 100 times as we walked around. The entire vibe just made my heart happy.

There are some great little shops with plenty of restaurants and ice cream spots sprinkled in. Cherry Republic is headquartered here and a popular landmark for good reason. I loved everything about it from the layout of the different buildings to the fonts scrawled throughout. It’s so whimsical.

After exploring town, we enjoyed eating at Glen Arbor’s most iconic spot – Art’s Tavern. This cash-only spot just has a charm about it if you love a good hole-in-the-wall bar like we do. We enjoyed our beer and burgers and appreciated not needing to dress up after a day of exploring and sweating.

Sometimes it’s just the simple things that are best enjoyed on vacation.

The next day we woke to do our respective runs {my 5K was relatively flat and fast; the hubby’s half marathon was pretty grueling with hills}, so we opted to just relax a bit after.

By afternoon, we were ready to hit the Leelanau Peninsula. Many folks suggested driving to Traverse City, but we’ve been there several times and wanted to keep our focus on the laid back vibe of the northwest side and the many charms surrounding it.

Our final destination was Fishtown in Leland, so we started up the coast, stopping at Good Harbor Vineyard, Boathouse Vineyards, Laurentide and Chateau Fontaine wineries along the way there and back. Most had a tasting fee {i.e. 5 tastes for $5}, which we didn’t mind.

Our favorite experience overall was at Chateau Fontaine, but all of them had impeccable service and we were happy to support local businesses with wine purchases since we know it will be put to good use!

In addition to the wineries, Fishtown in Leland was a must. There is just nothing like it! It feels like the east coast in the early century and we enjoyed dock sitting and enjoying some amazing sandwiches from the Village Cheese Shanty (well worth the 20 minute wait!). After, we explored the area and got some incredible smoked fish from Carlson’s.

We loved watching people fish off the docks. It’s called Fishtown for a great reason — the fisherman were pulling up larvae small-mouth bass without bait even on the hook! It’s was pretty incredible.

We meandered our way back to Glen Arbor, stopping to wade and take in the views at Good Harbor Beach on the way. It was gorgeous and there weren’t a ton of people there, which we loved.


Overall it was a great vacation and we can’t wait to visit with the kids when they are a bit older, and maybe do an adult trip with friends there soon too! Next time, we will be sure to spend way more time than just two days.

Things I’d like to do on a future visit:

What are your favorite things to do around northern Michigan?

Date Idea: Grand River Beer Trail in Southeast Michigan

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Grand Rapids, Michigan is dubbed Beer City USA for a great reason. However, did you know there is an explosion of fantastic craft breweries right outside the metro Detroit region too? If you didn’t, I have you covered with this post!

When my husband and I had the opportunity for a day date, we discovered what is known in local beer circles as the Grand River Beer Trail — a slew of breweries within 5 miles from Grand River Avenue, a main thoroughfare in lower Michigan. The trail I’m highlighting today starts in Farmington and heads west all the way to Howell.

Whenever we try a new brewery, we love nabbing a flight to discover new beer, and exploring any games that are available — especially shuffleboard and darts since it gets you up and moving. Occasionally, we’ll bring in take-out or order off a menu if it’s available.

Typically the service is extremely friendly and we love that many breweries embody the ‘buy local’ mentality, through partnerships with local businesses for events, food or even ingredients to make each brew unique.

Check out how many breweries you can hit up in western Oakland County and eastern Livingston County below, and plan a date or a friend’s gathering to support these local gems!

Grand River Beer Trail {East –> West}:

  1. Farmington – Farmington Brewing Company {snacks available; outside food welcome}
  2. Northville – Northville Winery and Brewing Company {no food onsite}
  3. Northville – North Center Brewing Company {snacks available}
  4. Novi – Ascension Brewing Company {full menu}
  5. Novi – Michigan Beer Company {full menu}
  6. Wixom – Drafting Table Brewing Company {snacks available; outside food welcome}
  7. Milford – River’s Edge Brewing Company {full menu}
  8. South Lyon – Witch’s Hat Brewing Company {occasional food available; outside food welcome}
  9. South Lyon – Third Monk Brewing Company {no food onsite}
  10. Lyon Township – Draught Horse Brewing Company {full menu}
  11. Brighton – Brewery Becker {small menu}
  12. Howell – Eternity Brewing Company {snacks available; outside food welcome}
  13. Howell – Block Brewing Company {full menu}
  14. Howell – Aberant Ales

Visit this link for a map with all the locations plotted with addresses.

Cheers to local beers, friends!

Which local breweries are your favorites?

Experience Gift Ideas for Michigan Couples

Experience Gift Ideas for Michigan Couples

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I don’t know about you and your partner, but my husband and I have hit a crossroads: There are just no tangible gifts we really want any more. If we want something — we get it — simple as that {within reason of course!}.

I’m not a fancy girl and he isn’t a fancy dude, and we share the sentiment that the best gift is just time spent together.

Instead of buying each other gifts with a credit card we share, we’re always thinking ahead to a future adventure together, so I’ve put together a list of experience gift ideas for Michigan couples.

Forget the things and focus on what really matters: Making memories together.

experience-gift-ideas-for-michigan-couples

ADVENTURE

NATURE

  • Purchase an annual pass for the Metroparks and commit to exploring each one {metro Detroit}
  • Plan a fly fishing adventure at the Red Moose Lodge {Gladwin} or on another chartered tour
  • Ski, snow board or zip-line at Snow Snake {Harrison}
  • Try ice luging like an Olympian {Muskegon}
  • Plan an adventure ice climbing at a Michigan destination
  • Visit Crystal Mountain for skiing, snowshoeing, a horse-drawn carriage ride, fat tire biking and more {Thompsonville}
  • During warmer months, try your hand at FootGolf {think golf with holes fit for a soccer ball}
  • Book a Michigan campground located on the beach of one of the lakes {these book fast!}
  • Plan a getaway to visit the beautiful scenery and waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula

ROMANCE

PURE FUN

See my list of 50+ date ideas around SE Michigan and 50+ date nights in Detroit for even more fun!

What are your favorite experience gifts?

50+ Date Ideas in Detroit {Organized by Season}

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Despite the doom and gloom presented on the news, the Motor City has so much light to give. Every time I visit, I fall even more in love with the city, and I’m not the only one. Detroit is rockin’ these days!

My husband and I love heading to Detroit for a date night because there is always something going on or a great new restaurant to try. Although visiting in the summer is my favorite, there truly is tons to do during every season.

date-ideas-detroit

Here are more than 50+ unique date ideas in Detroit, organized by season. Of course, many of these can be done at anytime though, especially since our weather tends to be wonky here 😉

50+ Date Ideas in Detroit

FALL

Date Ideas Detroit

WINTER

Bowling at Punch Bowl Social

SPRING

Date Ideas Detroit

SUMMER

detroit-riverfront

What are your favorite dates in Detroit?

Get more date night ideas in SE Michigan HERE.

Girls Night? Date Night? Visit Bahama Breeze for #Rumtoberfest

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bahama-breeze-logo

I received a gift card in exchange for my post. All opinions expressed belong to me.

There is one chain I enjoy happy hour at more than any other…Bahama Breeze. Seriously. Yummy food and drinks paired with live music, brings the feeling of a Caribbean escape…Something we all need at times 😉

In Michigan, Bahama Breeze has two locations: Livonia and Troy. I’ve been to both, and they are SO fun. I love meeting up with girlfriends there for their awesome half off apps and drinks until 6 p.m. — even on Fridays {prices range from about $3-$7 at that time}! It’s fun to order a bunch of different apps and make a meal of it. I love the beef empanadas, lobster and shrimp quesadillas and coconut shrimp the most.

dsc_0301

When Bahama Breeze reached out to me to share about Rumtoberfest to celebrate all things rum, I was intrigued. October is usually all about beer, but I’ll happily take some rum too…

Bahama Breeze’s Rumtoberfest runs through Nov. 6. Here’s a bit about what will be happening during the promotion period:

Uber Escape

Bahama Breeze is partnering with Uber for the first Rumbash Friday of the season on Sept. 23 to give guests a safe, fun and interactive experience when they head to the restaurants. Between 4 and 9 p.m., use Uber to visit any of Bahama Breeze’s 36 locations nationwide to receive a free appetizer. Offer redeemable with Uber email receipt; one per table; Island Hopper Combo excluded from free appetizer promo.

rumtoberfest-bahama-breeze

Rumbash Fridays

Visit Bahama Breeze for games, prizes, specials, live music, fortune tellers and more every Friday until Nov. 4. Sounds like the perfect excuse to gather a group a friends and escape!

Limited Edition Menu

The Rumtoberfest menu features new cocktails crafted in the spirit of those served at islanders’ favorite neighborhood bars. This year’s selections include:

  • Pirate’s Paradise – This cocktail gets its name from Port Royal, Jamaica’s infamous pirate city. Served in an exclusive take-home glass, this drink features lime, passion fruit, ginger, vanilla and bitters, with an upside-down 50-ml bottle of Captain Morgan.
  • Rum Thyme – This drink was created in the spirit of Prohibition-era rum runners who brought ships of whiskey and rum into the U.S. from the Caribbean. It features Zaya Rum, Old Overholt Rye, orange juice, lime juice and thyme syrup.
  • High Tide Swizzle – The swizzle pre-dates the cocktail and is one of the Caribbean’s original rum drinks. The word “swizzle” comes from the stick (literally a stick from a tree) that was once used to mix the cocktail and add bittering flavors.
  • Rum Cocktail Flights – Can’t decide which rum cocktail to try? Choose between three options that highlight the most popular Bahama Breeze selections, including:
    • Mama’s Hooch and Holler, featuring Bahamian Sunset, Bahama Mama and the Goombay Smash.
    • Shark Attack Shack, featuring Yaka Hula Hickey Dula, Zombie and Painkiller cocktails.
    • Float My Boat Bar, which includes the Curly Tail, Painkiller and Zombie cocktails.
  • Pick Your Own Rum Flight … served with a side of Coke, or treat yourself to three world-renowned Caribbean rums, like Barbancourt 15 Year Estate Reserve, Flor de Cana 18, and Don Q Gran Anejo.

Bahama Breeze Rum Cocktails

Guests might get hungry with all those drinks, so Bahama Breeze is also offering Rum & Coke Ribs, which feature tender baby back ribs tossed in the restaurant’s signature rum and coke glaze. YUM!

rum-and-cokes-ribs-low-res

Visit Rumtoberfest.com for more information, as well as rum tips, recipes, videos, interactive games and to be eligible for sweepstakes.

What’d your favorite place to enjoy happy hour?

Couples Getaway: Our Itinerary for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

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Looking for the perfect Michigan couples getaway? Check out our itinerary for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for nature, good eats and plenty of fun!

Couples Getaway- Our Itinerary for Michigan's Upper Peninsula

We are just getting back from an amazing vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I was looking for the perfect spot to head with my husband {our first kid-less vacation in 6 years!} and the more I researched, the more the U.P. called me with all of its adventure, beauty and the ability to unplug. Also? I have never been further than St. Ignace. I couldn’t justify a flight somewhere when I have so much of my own state to explore.

I was hoping I could find my dream trip online and replicate it, but I couldn’t find anything and a lot of information out there was unnerving {like, how much do I really need to hike to get to that waterfall, and are there bathrooms there?}. Thankfully, friends and the blog Things To Do in the U.P. were extremely helpful.

Here’s the itinerary for what we did on our getaway…I’d love to hear what your favorite spots are because we barely scratched the surface!

DAY 1: Tahquamenon & Grand Marais

Paradise: Browns Fisheries Fish House | Lower Tahquamenon Island Adventure | Upper Tahquamenon 

Grand Marais: Hilltop Cabins | Lake Superior Brewing Company | Grand Marais Beach

We started our adventure at 6:30 a.m. so we hightailed it across the bridge before noon. We were hungry, so we grabbed lunch at Browns Fisheries Fish House in Paradise. We got a whitefish/crackers platter {caught and smoked the day before}, fried mushrooms and the fish and chips platter. Hands down one of my favorite meals ever, and I think I will be dreaming of it until next time!

From there, we headed to Tahquamenon, where we got in for free with a Michigan Activity Pass {it’s free with a Michigan Recreation Passport, otherwise it’s $11/vehicle}. We started out by exploring the lower falls by taking the Lower Tahquamenon Island Adventure {follow the signs for boats once in the park}. It was $7/person {or $20/family}, and worth every penny.  We hopped in a row boat and paddled to the island where we could explore and get inside the falls, which felt refreshing. There wasn’t a terrible amount of walking and kids would have a ball getting in the water and checking out the tree-lined trail. Perfect for age 5+ because the falls do have a bit of a current. Wear water shoes everywhere in the U.P. because it’s rocky everywhere you go.

Tahquamenon Lower Falls Island Adventure

The Upper Falls were a 4-mile drive away from the lower falls and just breath-taking. Pictures don’t do it justice. Wear tennis shoes if you’d like to view the falls from every angle – there are lots of stairs and it’s a workout. I was blown away with each new perspective.

Tahquamenon - Upper Falls

Note: There were cute little gift shops and bathrooms at both, and a brewery at the upper.

After the falls, we took a very remote drive over to Grand Marais {take the route next to the lake!}. We were thankful we had a map and filled up with gas in Paradise because there were no stations along the way, and much of the drive was on dirt roads with no cell service. We loved stopping at the sandy beach along the way to stick our feet in the water.

Grand Marais itself is a lovely small town loaded with charm…and even a house shaped like a pickle barrel. We stayed in the Hilltop Cabins, and we loved the views it offered! In town, we grabbed beers and pizza at the Lake Superior Brewing Company.

The beach was incredible here {just down Lake St. in town}, with very few people, and the sunset was phenomenal. If you’ve never seen a Lake Superior sunset, you are missing out. Period. So romantic!

Sunset in Grand Marais

DAY 2: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & Munising

Grand Marais: West Bay Diner | Sable Falls | Log Slide Outlook

Munising: Miners Castle | Sunset on the Bay Motel | Johnny Dogs | Pictured Rocks Cruises

We kicked off day #2 with breakfast at the nostalgic West Bay Diner before heading west of town to Sable Falls and the Log Slide.

We opted for a one-mile hike through woods and down dunes to get to the beach. We were the only ones on the trail and it was so serene. It was so fun running down the dunes to the beach too!

Grand Marais Sand Dunes

Camera self-timer for the win!

After, we walked up stairs to the falls, which were incredible. We hopped the fence to get a closer look {rebels, ya’ll}.

Sable Falls

After, we traveled a few miles to check out the Log Slide overlook. This is an area where loggers would slide logs down the dunes before loading them on ships during the late 1800’s. Talk about a dangerous job. There were some rad views here, and the history lessons were great, too.

Log Slide - Grand Marais, Michigan

From there, we visited Miners Castle, which is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, for an aerial view. We had a picnic lunch on the grounds and then it started raining, squashing our plans to hit both Mosquito Falls and Munising Falls, which are nearby.

Miner's Castle - Pictured Rocks

Thankfully, the rain quit before our Pictured Rocks sunset cruise, and in the meantime we had the chance to get checked into our room at Sunset on the Bay motel in Munising, which was clean, friendly, and had a great outdoor space to enjoy a cocktail. We headed into the town to eat at the coolest hot dog stand ever — Johnny Dogs — with a gazillion unique options.

Our cruise was a bit windy, but worth the ride on top {get there early for the best seats and bring a sweater}. Boating the Pictured Rocks is the way to go for an up-close perspective of the beautiful rock formations.

Lovers Leap - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Lover’s Leap…Just don’t leap if you are lovers, because the water below is only 2 feet deep!

DAY 3: Munising –> Marquette

Munising: Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore | Muldoon’s Pasties

Christmas: To see Santa, of course!

East of Marquette: Lakenland Sculpture Park

Marquette: Presque Isle Park | Jilbert’s Dairy | The Landmark Inn | Ore Dock Brewing Company | Sol Azteca

We kicked off our morning at the adorable Falling Rock Cafe in Munising. Get the Michigan cherry coffee and a cinnamon roll…Amazing!

From there, we took our time traveling to Marquette, which was an hour away on M-28. We stopped at Muldoon’s Pasties for some frozen treats to bring home, and then made our way through Christmas, Michigan, where we had to stop to take a photo with Santa and check out the kitschy gift shop.

Santa in Christmas, Michigan

We also detoured to check out one of the most random art installations I’ve ever seen: Lakeland Junkyard Art. It was cool…and free! Definitely random and worth a drive through {takes about 10-15 minutes}.

Lakenland Junk Art

We still had time to kill and food in our cooler once we arrived in Marquette, so we decided to visit the beach in Presque Isle Park. It was a small yet nice beach…But man! That Lake Superior is SO COLD. There also were some biting flies there, so bug spray was a must. {Due to the dry air when we were there, we didn’t get a single mosquito bite.}

After, we headed to Jilbert’s Dairy for yet another roadside attraction: Ice cream…with a giant cow. Definitely had to text that picture to the kids 😉

Jilbert's Dairy Cow

We finally checked into our hotel for the night — The Landmark Inn. This was a splurge because I have a soft spot for historic hotels and we loved being so close to everything. We walked to the Ore Dock Brewing Company for beers, and headed over for Mexican at Sol Azteca {Steinhaus, the German spot we planned to go was closed already} and to walk around and check out the ore dock before heading in for the night.

Ore Dock in Marquette

DAY 4: Marquette –> Home

Marquette: Donckers

St. Ignace: Clyde’s Drive-In

Nothing fancy to note on this day of driving, but we did do some great eating! If there is ONE place you must visit in downtown Marquette, it’s Donckers. It’s an old-fashioned candy store with a cafe upstairs. It was so cool, and great for kids and adults alike.

After traveling for several hours, we figured we’d do what so many people suggested to me and eat at Clyde’s Drive-In in St. Ignace before crossing the bridge. Definitely one of the best olive burgers I’ve ever had. Paired with a chocolate malt, it gave me just the jolt I needed to take on driving for a few hours. Keep in mind it is cash only {in fact, a lot of places in the U.P. are, so bring some spending cash}.

Clyde's Drive-In - St. Ignance

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That’s our trip! If I could do it over again, I think I would start in Marquette and work our way east and add in a fourth night on Mackinac Island. Or, maybe even add another week and make it over to the Porcupine Mountains and Copper Harbor. There is so much to see in the U.P. Just make sure to bring a map and plan ahead because you likely won’t have great cell service…which may be one of the best things about visiting, especially as a couple 😉

Where are your favorite places to visit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? Chime in and let me know!

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